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Deseret NewsBy Herb ScribnerAshley and Nick Nabors are a family of two. But in a matter of time, they'll be a family of four.The Nabors are expecting their first child, a boy, Dec. 8 and plan to adopt another child, a girl, from outside the country — something they feel they’ve been called by God to do...Read more

NewsweekBy Stav ZivOne out of every 30 children in the U.S. experienced homelessness last year. That makes nearly 2.5 million children who, in 2013, lived in shelters, on the streets, in cars, on campgrounds or doubled up with other families in tight quarters, often moving from one temporary solution to another, according to “America’s Youngest Outcasts,” a report published Monday by the the National Center on Family Homelessness at the American Institutes for Research.With an increase of 8 percent in just one year between 2012 and 2013, the number of homeless children in this country...

Associated PressBy David Crary and Lisa LeffSAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The number of homeless children in the U.S. has surged in recent years to an all-time high, amounting to one child in every 30, according to a comprehensive state-by-state report that blames the nation's high poverty rate, the lack of affordable housing and the impacts of pervasive domestic violence.Titled "America's Youngest Outcasts," the report being issued Monday by the National Center on Family Homelessness calculates that nearly 2.5 million American children were homeless at some point in 2013. The number is based on the Department of Education's latest count...

Portland Press HeraldBy Bruce LesleyThanks for covering homelessness (“Count of Maine homeless dropped this year, but rises over long term, survey finds,” Oct. 30). But the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s data is misleading.More than a million children will sleep tonight with a roof over their heads, but it’s not their roof. They endure the same horrors facing homeless adults. A 17-year-old Michigan boy was raped by the person he stayed with. A 13-year-old Ohio girl was sexually trafficked by the man who promised her housing...Read more

Indy WeekBy Bruce LesleyThanks for covering homelessness ("Fewer North Carolinians homeless in 2014, says U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development," Nov. 3). But the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's data is misleading.More than a million children will sleep tonight with a roof over their heads, but it's not their roof. They endure the same horrors facing homeless adults. A 17-year-old Michigan boy was raped by the person he stayed with. A 13-year-old Ohio girl was sexually trafficked by the man who promised her housing. But HUD's definition of "homeless" excludes them. HUD's counts largely...

Huffington PostBy Robbie CouchA new study explored who is falling victim to youth homelessness and why, and the results are troubling.The survey, conducted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and funded by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), found that 60.8 percent of homeless youths have been raped, beaten up, robbed or otherwise assaulted. It also revealed that youth homelessness disproportionately affects LGBT youths and racial minorities, as nearly 37 percent of study participants identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, and just one third identified as white-only...Read more

Salt Lake TribuneWith all the big-money lobbyists in Washington, it’s sometimes hard to find a public servant who’s looking out for the little guy. But Utah’s Sen. Orrin Hatch is looking out for the littlest of us all: children. That’s why the bipartisan children’s advocacy organization First Focus Campaign for Children was so proud this year to recognize Sen. Hatch as a Defender of Children – an award Voices for Utah Children heartily seconds.Sen. Hatch’s recent leadership included critical issues for kids. He championed bipartisan legislation to improve pediatric medical research. He voted to modernize career education and focus...

San Diego Jewish WorldCongresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) has been named a 2014 Defender of Children. First Focus Campaign for Children recognized Davis for her work in Congress to create policies that improve the well-being of children.“We have a responsibility to bring our children up in a caring and supportive environment that gives them the best chance at success in the future,” said Davis. “I am honored by this recognition and thank First Focus Campaign for Children for all they do for our kids. The future of America depends on the future of our children. We must continue to...

Washington — Today, the First Focus Campaign for Children, a national bipartisan children’s advocacy group, recognized Representative Karen Bass for her leadership on issues important to children during 2013.“Lots of politicians talk about kids’ issues, but few back it up,” said Bruce Lesley, president of the Campaign for Children. “Representative Bass delivered for kids.”In selecting Champions and Defenders, the First Focus Campaign for Children noted leaders who introduced, co-sponsored, and voted for legislation to meet children’s needs. In addition, the organization considered Members who demonstrated extraordinary initiative by spearheading activities such as sponsoring hearings or garnering the support of their...

POLITICO Huddle NewsletterThe children’s advocacy organization First Focus Campaign for Children is poised to release its 2014 list of “Champions and Defenders” of children in Congress later Tuesday – a list of 100 lawmakers who the bipartisan group says promoted legislation, led hearings and headed up other initiatives to improve the well-being of children during the 113th Congress. ...More